From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!cw
Newsgroups: net.singles
Title: Celibacy and Chastity
Article-I.D.: eagle.696
Posted: Sun Dec 19 18:34:19 1982
Received: Mon Dec 20 08:43:00 1982
References: whuxlb.864


People who read and write net.singles ought to be aware that

	celibacy is the state of being unmarried and

	chastity is the state of sexual abstention (at least with
	other people).

One of these states is legal and the other is physical.  Please
do not confuse them.  Most people interested in net.singles are 
celibate, I suppose, and, from the tone of the submissions, I assume
that most would rather not be chaste.

By the way, it is my understanding that priests and others in religious
orders usually take a vow of celibacy, not chastity.  That is, they
agree not to get married.  The church assumes that sex outside of 
marriage is a sin and hence a good priest will automatically not
partake.  However, the church also recognizes that all humans
may fall into sin and provides a way to cleanse the stain (i.e.,
confession and repentance).  Thus, there is really no need for a vow
of chastity.

Catholic scholars may wish to comment.

Charles